Birds in Wiltshire
Explore 144 species found in this region.
Wiltshire's diverse landscapes, from the rolling chalk downlands of Salisbury Plain to the river valleys of the Avon and Kennet, support a rich variety of birdlife. With 143 species recorded across the county, birders can enjoy sightings ranging from the iconic Barn Owl hunting over open farmland to the striking Mandarin Duck along wooded waterways. The county's mix of wetlands, ancient woodlands, and grasslands makes it a rewarding destination for birdwatching throughout the year.
Visiting in June? Look out for Common Quail and Eurasian Tree Sparrow arriving this month, and Common Shelduck and Egyptian Goose depart for the season.
Showing 93–115 of 144 species
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
An uncommon resident of Salisbury Plain's chalk grasslands and open downland, present year-round but easily overlooked.
Year-round
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare passage visitor to Wiltshire's open downland, occasionally glimpsed dashing low over Salisbury Plain in autumn and winter.
Oct–Dec
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident of parkland and open woodland, often singing from tall treetops in early spring across the county.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
Present year-round on ponds, rivers, and waterways, often seen picking along the margins of the Kennet and Avon Canal.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
An uncommon year-round resident, found on the rivers, lakes and gravel pits of Wiltshire. Often seen on the Avon and at Cotswold Water Park fringes.
Year-round
Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchosLC
A rare passage visitor in May, occasionally heard singing in dense scrub. Wiltshire lies at the western fringe of its diminishing English breeding range.
May
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded on heathland edges in June and August. Salisbury Plain's fringes offer the most likely habitat.
Jun–Aug
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally spotted over wooded areas in spring and late summer as the species slowly recolonises southern England.
Feb–Jul
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Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
Resident year-round on farmland and wet grassland, with winter flocks boosted by continental arrivals on Salisbury Plain.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare winter visitor and passage bird, appearing on flooded meadows and reservoirs. Most likely seen between October and March.
Oct–Apr
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
Found on lakes and reservoirs, with numbers peaking in winter. Largely absent during midsummer moult months.
Aug–May
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally stopping at Wiltshire's reservoirs and flooded fields in September and October.
Sep–Oct
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
A rare but year-round resident, nesting on Salisbury Cathedral and other tall structures. Hunts over open downland.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
A rare but year-round resident on deeper lakes and reservoirs. Numbers have declined nationally, making Wiltshire sightings increasingly noteworthy.
Jul–May
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare and irruptive resident of conifer plantations, with numbers fluctuating year to year. Its distinctive crossed bill is adapted for extracting seeds from pine cones.
Feb–Dec
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
Now a common and conspicuous sight soaring over farmland and villages, following successful reintroduction. Wiltshire lies within its expanding core range.
Year-round
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare but increasingly established resident on Wiltshire's larger lakes. The striking male's red bill and russet head make it easy to identify.
Dec–Oct
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
Found on arable farmland and chalk downland year-round, though most birds originate from game releases rather than wild breeding.
Year-round
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A rare April passage migrant, briefly visiting wet grasslands and reservoir edges. Declining nationally, making any Wiltshire records notable.
Apr
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A winter visitor arriving from Scandinavia in October, often seen in mixed thrush flocks feeding on berries in hedgerows and open farmland across the county.
Oct–Apr
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
Resident in reedbeds, wet ditches, and scrubby field margins. Males are recognised by their black head and white collar, often singing from exposed perches.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare passage migrant glimpsed briefly in April and October on the chalk downlands, pausing on migration between upland breeding grounds and Africa.
Oct–Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A rare spring passage migrant, briefly stopping at gravel pits and reservoir margins in April and May before heading to coastal breeding grounds.
Apr–May